This blog started off by focussing on NZ's smaller 3rd level airlines, past and present. It has evolved to trying to present some record of NZ's domestic airline operations and some of the larger charter operators, interesting NZ international airliner movements and photos I have taken around the country. Comments, corrections or contributions are welcome, Steve - westland831@gmail.com

17 July 2014

Retired from Service

Retired from the Air New Zealand fleet this week is Boeing 747-475 ZK-SUH. It made its last commercial flights with the company on the 13th of July 2014 flying NZ8 from Auckland to San Francisco and returning as NZ7 departing San Francisco on the 14th and arriving into Auckland on the morning of the 15th of July 2014.

ZK-SUH was first of three Boeing 747-400s taken on long-term lease from ILFC. It arrived in November 1994 and was followed by ZK-SUI and ZK-SUJ. ZK-NBV is the last remaining Boeing 747-400 in the Air New Zealand fleet.

ZK-SUH is due to depart New Zealand for Los Angeles and the Southern California Logistics Airport at Victorville at the end of the month.

In the old Air New Zealand scheme, ZK-SUH on approach to Christchurch in January 1997

ZK-SUH in it current scheme, this time caught on departure from Auckland on 22 December 2012

ZK-SUH alongside the new colour scheme as worn on Airbus 320 ZK-OXA at Auckland on 18 January 2013

The soft light of the late afternoon on ZK-SUH as it arrives home on 17 March 2013